FA LL 2 0 2 0 - 12 T H E VOI C E
ON A POSITIVE NOTE —
It would be easy to focus on the negatives of 2020, but in a half empty kind of year we’re choosing to focus on the moments that have made it feel half full. We can’t minimize the harsh reality that the year has brought, but we can highlight the good. We hope that the following stories bring you joy!
PAYING IT FORWARD There was no plan B for Murod Mamatov when he opened Ellis Island in 2016. He sold his home, cashed out his 401k, borrowed money from a friend and went all in on his coffee and wine lounge. His inspiration came from visiting the former immigration station, now museum, in New York City. “As a first generation immigrant myself I saw so much similarity in the emotions of those who arrived to the U.S through Ellis Island at the beginning of the past century, and myself when I immigrated to the U.S seventeen years ago,” Mamatov explained. He chose Edmond to open his first location because it offers the best of both worlds, a small town feel with a dynamic city vibe. He now owns two Ellis Island locations in Edmond and one on the campus at Oklahoma City Community College. Fast forward to 2020 where Mamatov was faced with the pressure of owning a small business during a global pandemic. He knew finances were uncertain for many and that a cup of coffee might be a luxury. He thought about the years of support the community had offered him and decided to pay it forward. He took to social media and told customers to pay what they could and if they couldn’t pay at all, coffee was on the house. As the news spread, the response from the community was tremendous. Those who could still pay were overpaying and their generosity allowed Ellis Island to offer free coffee for two months until they opened their doors again to indoor seating. Mamatov described it as a warm and moving experience.
“Offering free coffee during this difficult time was always about more than just coffee. It was about offering kindness and assurance in humanity, community and citizenship,” Mamatov expressed. “We wanted to say that we are in this together and we will overcome this together…As we move forward, we should not forget that we are strong united.”
AB O VE A N D R I G H T: PAYI N G I T F O RWA R D Murod Mamatov at his coffee and wine lounge, Ellis Island Photos by Kelsi Laine Photo
